Does an EHC plan change a grammar school appeal?

First identify the decision you disagree with

There are two distinct situations:

• The final EHC plan names a different school, or you dispute its educational content. The decision is the local authority’s EHC plan decision. GOV.UK explains the right to appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal.
• The plan already names the school, but that school is refusing admission. Contact the council that issued the plan. The Department for Education says its ordinary admission appeal guidance does not apply in this situation.

An 11+ result letter, a consultation response from a school and a final EHC plan are different documents. Put the actual decision letter beside the plan before deciding what form to complete.

What does Section I mean?

Section I identifies the school or other institution, or its type. Section B describes special educational needs and Section F sets out special educational provision. A dispute about placement can be connected to the description of needs or the support specified.

Keep the full final plan, including appendices, rather than sending only the page naming a school. Make a short list of the changes you are seeking and the educational evidence supporting each one. GOV.UK’s EHC appeal guidance explains the decisions that can be appealed.

Which deadlines and mediation rules apply?

Read the local authority’s decision letter promptly. Its appeal rights and the Tribunal guidance are the relevant starting point; the ordinary secondary-school appeal timetable is not a substitute.

Most EHC appeals require consideration of mediation first. There is an exception where the appeal is only about Section I. If you also dispute needs or provision, check the wider mediation requirements rather than assuming the school-only exception applies. See the official mediation guidance.

What to ask the council’s SEND team

Ask for the named officer dealing with secondary transfer, the current status of the placement decision, and the next date by which you need to respond. If the requested school is selective, ask how its assessment arrangements are being addressed within the placement process.

Your child’s SENCO can help gather school evidence. Your council’s local SEND information, advice and support service can explain the process. Keep correspondence dated and identify the specific decision, school and section of the plan in each enquiry.